Cap cover stretcher



Feb. 8, 1938. D. A. SElLER GAP COVER STRETCHER Filed Feb. 18, 1936 INVENTOR. 03am,

ATTORNEY 7 ag foam l Patented F e1). 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAP COVER STRETCHER Application February 18, 1936, 'SeriaLNo. 64,594

2 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to laundry apparatus and more particularly to a device for stretching cap covers of the class which must be removed and laundered and restored'to caps from 5 time to time.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of stretcher for cap covers which comprises a minimum number of parts and which may be inexpensively manufactured, assembled and used in the laundering of cap covers.

,Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of stretcher for cap covers in which members conforming to the shape of the cap cover may be engaged beneath the crown of the cap cover and above the band thereof for stretching the cap cover after a washing operation.

Still another object ofmy invention is to provide a construction of stretcher for cap covers in which a pair of stretcher members are provided with preformed faces which engage and stretch the cap cover without interference from the normal seams which serve to connect the parts of the cap cover.

Still another object of my invention is to pro- 95 vide a construction of stretcher for cap covers in which the spacial relation of a pair of stretching members may be variably controlled, and a selected spacial relation therebetween selected and maintained for stretching a cap cover over the stretcher members. 1

A further object of my invention is to provide an arrangement of stretcher for cap covers in which a pair of link members are connected with a pair of forming members and pivotally interconnected in a substantially horizontal plane beneath the forming members with means for determining the spacial relation of the forming members, and with means for adjusting and maintaining the forming members in selected spacial relation for stretching a cap cover over the forming members.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of a readily portable stretcher for cap covers which may be readily used by individuals who must maintain a neat and laundered appearance of cap covers of the general class worn by the military and naval forces, police officers, and others engaged in various class operations as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a cap stretcher in which the forming members are selectively maintained in predetermined spacial relation by means of a pair of interengaging diametri'cally extending adjustably connected bar members; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken through the cap stretcher illustrated in Fig. l, the view being taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cap stretcher illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. l is a fragmentary theoretical view illustrating the manner in which the interconnecting bars in the stretcher of my invention as illustrated in Figs. 1-3, are engaged; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the 10 interconnecting bars by which the spacial relation of the forming members is adjusted.

My invention is directed to a readily portable stretcher for cap covers which may be readily equipped with a drier if desired. The stretcher 15 comprises a pair of spacially related forming members connected by a system of links by which the forming members may be spread or retracted beneath a cap cover. The system of links is pivotedwith the axis of the pivot initially in a horizontal'plane below the forming members. I provide means for adjusting the limits to which the forming members may be spread for thereby determining the size of cap cover to which the stretcher of my invention may be conformed. I provide means interconnecting the link members by which the forming members may be maintained in spread relation for stretching the cap cover. In order to insure that the cap cover will be stretched and dried in proper shape, I provide recesses in the forming members into which the seams of the cap cover may be retained While the cap cover is being stretched. The construction of the stretcher and drier is such that it may be readily used by members of military and naval organizations, police ofiicers, firemen, and others for individual use in the laundering of cap covers.

Referring to the drawing in detail, reference characters I and 2 designate the coacting forming members of the cap stretcher. It will be noted that the forming members are substantially semi-circular in shape and engage only the upper portion of the crown of the cap cover and do not exert any force against the band of the 45 cap cover. I have designated the cap cover in Fig. 1 in dotted lines from which it will be seen that the crown portion 3 is engaged by the forming members while the band portion 4 is free of engagement by the forming members. The form- 50 ing members are preshaped in a very special manner to provide relatively narrow band-like recesses shown at Ia and lb extending in the peripheral face of forming member I and indicated' also at 2a and 2b extending in the periph- 55 eral face of forming member 2. The band-like recesses 2a and 2b are aligned with the bandlike recesses I a and lb for the purpose of receiving the inwardly projecting seams indicated at 5 and 6 in the cap cover as illustrated in Fig. 2. The seams of the cap cover enter the recesses la, lb, 2a and 2b and thereby allow the cap cover to be conformed to the shape of the conforming members without undesirable protruding of the seams. of the cap cover which would otherwise be the case. The forming members I and 2 are each connected by link members shown at 52 and 53. The connection between forming member i and thelink 52 is established through a pair of lugs Ill and a bolt member l l. The connection of forming member 2 with link 53 is established through lugs l2 and bolts member I4. The coacting bar members 52 and 53 are illustrated more clearly in perspective View in Fig. 5, from which it will be seen that bar member 53 carries a hookshaped device 54 thereon and a laterally extending pin 55 at one side thereof. The bar member 52 is provided with a multiplicity of spaced apertures 56, any one of which may be engaged with the pin 55 for predetermining the spacial relation of the forming members I and 2 for stretching the cap cover after washing. The bar 52 is maintained in close interengagement with pin 55 by means of the hook-shaped member 54.

The procedure in employing the cap cover stretcher of my invention is somewhat as follows. With the bar members 52 and 53 loosely pivoting on the forming members, the device is inserted in the cap cover, the larger segmental member in the front portion thereof. The seams are adjusted into the grooves, and the bar members are then engaged in a selected size so as to stretch the cover taut without overstretching. The bar or link members are then moved into substantial alignment within the cap cover, and held so by means of the hook-shaped device 54 and the pin 55.

The apparatus of my invention is so constructed that when adjusted in the cap cover, the forming members are moved simply outwardly as the bar or link members are moved to substantial align ment, thus preventing displacement of the segmental forms with respect to the cover and saving the time and effort of readjusting the stretched cover. The seams of the cover engaging the grooves provided in the forming members aid in preventing displacement of the cover on the members.

When properly stretched, with the link members in substantially aligned relation, the cap cover may be scrubbed with a brush and soap suds, or otherwise cleaned, rinsed, and hung up or laid to dry in a convenient place. Being made of aluminum or other non-rusting, non-corroding metal, the device does not stain the cap cover, and is light in weight and durable. The structure is completely demountable to permit compact arrangement for packing.

I have found the stretcher and drier of my invention highly practical in maintaining the cap covers in a fresh and laundered condition. The device occupies minimum stowage space in the effects of a military or naval man and allows compliance with military and naval regulations requiring the maintenance of a clean and neat appearance of the cap cover at all times.

While I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A form for shaping cap covers comprising a pair of segmental members, a link member pivotally connected with one of said segmental members and being apertured at a plurality of positions along the length thereof, a second link member pivotally connected with the other of said segmental members and having a pin mounted thereon, said link members being normally disengaged and said pin being engageable at a selected position with the apertured link member for determining the spacing of said segmental members, and means for holding said link members in substantial alignment with said segmental members in effective spaced relation within a cap cover.

2. A form for shaping cap covers as set forth in claim 1, and wherein said segmental members are provided with recesses in the exterior faces thereof for receiving the interior seam portions of the cap cover, said segmental members being placed in position with said recesses engaged by the seam portions prior to engagement of said link members, said seam portions serving to aid in retaining said cover in position as said link members are moved into substantial alignment.

DAYTON A. SEILER. 

